A pair of Brewster, Minnesota, farmers are poised to learn about ongoing opportunities in the biodiesel, renewable diesel and the sustainable aviation fuel industries in the nation’s largest city. The Clean Fuels Alliance America (Clean Fuels) is hosting its annual Big Apple Tour Dec. 15-18 in New York City, and a full agenda will give industry leaders an up-close look at how New York and New Jersey are fueling growth in biofuels.
Taking part in the tour will be Ron Obermoller, who represents District 7 on the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) and serves on the Minnesota Soybean Processors (MnSP) board of directors, and Chris Hill, Jackson County director for the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) and Clean Fuels board member.
“I’ve been on this trip before but to give some perspective on how quickly things have changed, the last time I participated in it we weren’t even talking about sustainable aviation fuel,” Hill said. “The biofuels industry is always evolving, and it will be interesting to see that firsthand in New York City.”
Attendees of the Big Apple Tour will attend educational sessions to learn more about how places such as New York City and New Jersey are using biodiesel and renewable diesel to reduce their carbon footprint. The tour also includes visits to locations such as the National Oil Heat Research & Education Center to learn about the bioheat industry in the Northeast.
“There’s a lot for Clean Fuels to showcase in New York and the Northeast,” said Mike Youngerberg, MSR&PC senior director of product development and commercialization. “They’re using biodiesel and renewable diesel to power their garbage trucks and ferries, they use soy-based tires in their fleets and are big users of Bioheat to heat their homes.”
Bioheat, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional home heating fuel that consists of biodiesel, is a significant part of the market in the Northeast where other home heating options are either limited or expensive.
“People used to think of heating oil as dirty or bad for the environment, but Bioheat is much more eco-friendly and sustainable,” Hill said. “Clean Fuels and U.S. Soy have actually teamed up recently with local icon Donnie Wahlberg to change that perspective and tell the real story of Bioheat.”
The Council is a member of Clean Fuels Alliance America, which is an organization aimed at advancing the interests of its members by supporting sustainable biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industry growth.
